Early and Elementary

level classes

Spring 2025

Early & Elementary Level classes

All Spring 2025 Elementary Level Classes begin the week of January 13, 2025. Registration opens on November 8, 2024.

An all - discipline showcase will be held on Thursday March 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM.

Beginner ACting : Adventures in Oz

This 10-week class meets Saturday mornings, 9-10am, from January 18 to March 22. The class will culminate in a showcase on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30pm.

Ages 6-10, $25 Registration Fee + $75 per month

  • Students will “follow the Yellow Brick Road” to a variety of fun theater activities and games, themed around our favorite magical land “somewhere over the rainbow.” There’s a reason why we call a theater performance a “play;” it’s because acting is all about playing, and this class will PLAY. Ages 6-10.


    Why take this class? Students who are expressive and theatrical will enjoy the chance to explore their dramatic side, while quieter students will have the chance to come out of their shell a little bit - all in a positive and affirming environment in which everyone gets a part and has the chance to shine.

  • Jacob Ernst - Jacob Ernst is a local actor, director and teaching artist from Lexington, Ky.  He has been teaching with SPARK since the beginning of 2023 and is so excited to be back to teach this class. He has been seen on the Leeds stage many times over the past few years, and he recently co-directed Singin in the Rain Jr and this year’s The Little Mermaid Jr. When not performing or directing, he works at Rosa Parks Elementary as a special education para.  He is so excited to teach this class!

Beginner Musical Theatre Dance

This 10-week class meets Monday evenings, 6-7pm, from January 13 to March 24 (skipping Monday, February 17). The class will culminate in a showcase on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30pm.

Ages 9-12, $25 registration fee + $67 per month.

  • This class will teach the foundations of musical theater dance technique, and will explore storytelling through dance. Students will learn fundamental dance vocabulary and how to apply technique learned in class to musical theater choreography. Students will also gain valuable experience in preparing for musical theater and dance auditions. Ages 9-12.

    Why take this class? What’s more fun than being in a musical? This class will help students interested in getting into their first big show, and will reinforce skills for those who have a few productions under their belt already. 

  • Aloria Beason - Aloria Beason was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. She is pursuing an Arts Administration BA with a minor in Dance at the University of Kentucky. With 16 years of comprehensive dance training in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical theater, hip-hop, and more, she brings extensive expertise to both performance and education. As the publicist and as a choreographer for the UK Dance Ensemble, she has crafted eight original pieces and overseen their marketing. While she maintains an active performance career, her true passion lies in nurturing artistic development in students aged 2-22–helping to shape the next generation of dancers.

Beginner Tap Dance

This 10-week class meets Saturday mornings, 10-11am, from January 18 to March 22. The class will culminate in a showcase on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30pm. 

Ages 8 and up. $25 registration fee + $67 per month.

  • Dive into one of the great American art forms: tap dance. In this class you will learn the basic steps of classical, rhythm, and musical theater tap, as well as the history of this form of dance. This class is a fun, toe-tapping good time! Ages 8+.

    Why take this class? Students interested in all forms of dance will find this class challenging and exciting. It’s also a great way to learn valuable teamwork and collaboration skills. And this class isn’t just for kids. Anyone 8 and up can participate!

  • Kyla Shinsky - Kyla Shinsky was born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee. She's been dancing for 18 years, competing and training at Artistic Dance Unlimited. She has learned various dance styles ranging from ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, musical theater, tap and acrobatics. She now attends the University of Kentucky where she is getting her BA in Arts Administration and Dance. There, she is expanding her knowledge and passion with dance involving herself in the program’s intense number of performances.  She is also the President of the University of Kentucky Ensemble where she choreographs and trains to further explore and practice her technique. 

Tiny Dancers

This 6-week class meets Wednesday afternoons, January 8 to February 12 from 5 to 6pm. This class culminates in an open studio class, Wednesday, February 12. Note: all students must be potty-trained in order to participate.

Ages 3-5. $25 Registration fee + $90 due at first class.

  • It’s never too late to learn how to dance - or too early! This class is the perfect opportunity for young movers and shakers to get their very first dance experience. Students will learn how to express themselves through movement and how to work together to create dynamic and fun group dances. Ages 3-5.

    Why take this class? Kids need all the play time they can get, and this class gives them the chance to put all of their wonderful, wiggly energy to good use with music, movement, and patient, nurturing direction.

  • Aloria Beason - Aloria Beason was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. She is pursuing an Arts Administration BA with a minor in Dance at the University of Kentucky. With 16 years of comprehensive dance training in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical theater, hip-hop, and more, she brings extensive expertise to both performance and education. As the publicist and as a choreographer for the UK Dance Ensemble, she has crafted eight original pieces and overseen their marketing. While she maintains an active performance career, her true passion lies in nurturing artistic development in students aged 2-22–helping to shape the next generation of dancers.